Cool Air Loop Method

ABSTRACT

A system and method for cooling structures by pulling air underground through corrugated pipe is disclosed. The system allows the air to cool down prior to being pulled back into the structure. The system comprises: a trench located outside the structure; an elongated pipe resting in the trench, having a first end and a second end; a first manifold connected to the first end of the elongated pipe, and a second manifold connected to the second end of the elongated pipe; a first airtight duct connecting the first manifold to the structure, and a second airtight duct connecting the second manifold to the structure; a duct fan coupled to the second set of ducting such that the duct fan causes air to flow through the first airtight duct to the first manifold, then to the elongated pipe, then through the second manifold, then through the second airtight duct back into the structure, thereby cooling the structure due to a naturally cooler temperature of the elongated pipe located in the trench.

REFERENCE TO EARLIER FILED APPLICATION

The instant application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/538,876. The inventorship is identical to said U.S. Utility application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cooling systems and to methods for cooling structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for cooling structures by pulling air underground through corrugated pipe, which allows the air to cool down prior to being pulled back into the structure.

BACKGROUND

Given the increasing worldwide demand for energy, the need to conserve energy is manifest. A need exists for an energy-efficient cooling system that is installed in the ground for the continuous cooling of air. It will dramatically lower the worldwide demand for energy by reducing the cost of air conditioning. Not only will this cooling system lower the global demand for energy, it will prevent major power outages by lowering the overall demand for electricity needed to run air conditioners. One bonus feature of this system is that it will provide cool air during power outages in structures with extreme high temperatures, thereby saving human and animal life in areas with extreme high temperatures.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

The ability to cool structures cost-effectively.

The ability to cool almost any structure, including, but not limited to, tents, barns, multi-million-dollar homes, temporary structures, permanent structures, new structures, remodeled structures, military structures, residential structures, and commercial structures.

The ability to cut consumers' costs of air conditioning.

The ability to prevent major power outages by lowering the overall demand for electricity needed to run air conditioners.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a trench located outside the structure; an elongated pipe resting in the trench, having a first end and a second end; a first manifold connected to the first end of the elongated pipe, and a second manifold connected to the second end of the elongated pipe; a first airtight duct connecting the first manifold to the structure, and a second airtight duct connecting the second manifold to the structure; a duct fan coupled to the second set of ducting such that the duct fan causes air to flow through the first airtight duct to the first manifold, then to the elongated pipe, then through the second manifold, then through the second airtight duct back into the structure, thereby cooling the structure due to a naturally cooler temperature of the elongated pipe located in the trench.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of one embodiment of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the Cool Air Loop System, which in this embodiment includes a solar panel.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the trench.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the manifold

FIG. 4 is a side view of the manifold.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the manifold.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the corrugated pipe.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the corrugated pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which from a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a system for cooling the interior of a structure comprising: a trench located outside the structure; an elongated pipe having a first end and a second end, wherein the first elongated pipe rests in the trench; a first manifold connected to the first end of the elongated pipe, and a second manifold connected to the second end of the first elongated pipe; a first air duct connecting to the first manifold; a second airtight duct connecting the second structure to the second manifold; a duct fan coupled to the second set of ducting such the duct fan causes air to flow through the first airtight duct to the first manifold, then to the elongated pipe, then though the second manifold, then through the second air duct back into the structure, thereby cooling the structure due to a naturally cooler temperature of the elongated pipe located in the trench.

The first airtight duct may be connected to the structure thereby allowing air to be recirculated through the system. Preferrably, the trench is at least 5 feet deep and the elongated pipe is corrugated

The system may further include a plurality of lava rocks covering the elongated pipe ideally located approximately 3 inches above the elongated pipe and further comprising insulation covering the lava rock.

The insulation may optionally be approximately wherein the insulation is 2 inches thick and resistant to rodents.

The trench would optimally be backfilled with dirt and be at least 30 feet long;

They system may be coupled to a thermostat thereby allowing temperature to be controlled.

As well, the system may comprising a solar electricity system, wherein the duct fan is powered by the solar electricity system.

Optionally, the system may include a first rubber coupler and a second rubber coupler, wherein the first rubber coupler couples with the first manifold and the second rubber coupler couples with the second manifold.

The following is a listing of the reference numbers included in the original drawings and the element that each reference number corresponds to and a brief description:

-   -   1. Top view of Cool Air Loop System. The system allows hotter         air inside a structure to be cooled by the ground as it is         pulled underground through corrugated pipe and cooled, prior to         the cooler air being pulled back inside the structure.     -   2. Solar Panel. This is an 18 volt solar panel, 15 inches         square, which allows relief on the power grid during the hottest         part of the day. The system also has a 110 AC and a DC power         backup.     -   3. Duct Fan. This is a 6 inch duct fan powered either by solar         power or by 110 AC.     -   4. Structure. The system has the ability to cool almost any         structure, including, but not limited to, tents, barns,         multi-million-dollar homes, temporary structures, permanent         structures, new structures, remodeled structures, military         structures, residential structures, and commercial structures.     -   5. Air Flow. The arrows show the airflow in the corrugated pipe,         which is installed in the main trench, and in the 6 inch PVC         plastic pipes, which are installed in trenches dug between each         manifold end and the structure.     -   5B. Trenches from Manifold Ends to Structure. This shows the         trenches that hold the 6 inch PVC plastic pipes, which are dug         between each manifold end and the structure,     -   6. Manifold. This is the manifold, which is shown in more detail         in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Two separate manifolds are connected to         each end of the corrugated pipe.     -   6B. Air Flow. The arrows show the airflow through the corrugated         pipe.     -   7. Corrugated Pipe. This is the corrugated pipe, which is shown         in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. The corrugated pipe is         contained in the main trench.     -   8. Thermostat. This is the thermostat, which is used to control         the interior temperature of the structure.     -   9. Return Air Duct. This is the return air duct, which returns         hotter air inside the structure to the cool air loop system to         be cooled.     -   10. Side View of Trench. This is a side view of the main trench         that contains the corrugated pipe and the manifolds.     -   11. Main Trench. This is the main trench that contains the         corrugated pipe and the manifolds. This trench should be dug         near the structure, and it should be at least 30 feet in length,         2 feet in width, and 5 feet in depth.     -   12. Ground Level. The arrow indicates ground level.     -   13. Dirt. The arrow indicates dirt, which is carefully         backfilled into the trench above the 2 inch rigid, rodent-proof         insulation.     -   14. Rigid Insulation. The arrow indicates the 2 inch rigid,         rodent-proof insulation, which is installed below the dirt and         above the 3 inch lava rock.     -   15. Upper Lava Rock. This is the 3 inch lava rock that is         installed above the corrugated pipe and the manifolds.     -   15B. Lower Lava Rock. This the 3 inch lava rock that is first         installed in the empty trench, below the corrugated pipe and the         manifolds.     -   16. Corrugated Pipe. This is the corrugated pipe that is         installed in the trench above the lower 3 inch lava rock and         below the upper 3 inch lava rock.     -   17. Top View of Manifold. This is a top view of the manifold,         which is connected to each end of the corrugated pipe.     -   18. Inside Dimension of Manifold. This shows the inside 6 inch         dimension of the manifold, which is connected to each end of the         corrugated pipe.     -   19. Length of Manifold: This shows the 21 inch length of the         manifold.     -   20. Inch Height of Manifold. This shows the 12.200 inch height         of the manifold.     -   21. Width of Manifold. This shows the 6.350 inch width of the         manifold.     -   22. Inside Dimension of Manifold. This shows the 3.350-inch         inside dimension of the manifold.     -   25. End View of Corrugated Pipe. This shows an end view of the         corrugated pipe.     -   26. Side View of Corrugated Pipe. This shows a side view of the         corrugated pipe.     -   27. End Thickness of Corrugated Pipe. This shows the 3/16 inch         end thickness of the corrugated pipe.     -   28. Field Thickness of Corrugated Pipe. This shows the 1/32 inch         field thickness of the corrugated pipe. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing a system for cooling the interior of a structure comprising the steps of: a. digging a trench outside of the structure with a minimum length of 30 feet, a minimum width of 2 feet, and a minimum depth of 5 feet; b. installing a first plurality of lava rocks into the trench such that the lava rocks form a first 3 inch deep layer; c. providing: i. an elongated corrugated heat exchange pipe made of flexible thin plastic having a first end and a second end; ii. a first tapered manifold and a second tapered manifold; iii. a first smooth duct and a second smooth duct, both ducts being made of smooth wall, thick insulated plastic; iv. 2 inch rigid rodent-resistant insulation; v. a thermostat; vi. at least one solar panel; vii. a duct fan; d. connecting the first tapered manifold to the first end of the corrugated elongated pipe; e. connecting the second tapered manifold to the second end of the corrugated elongated pipe thereby forming an assembly; f. placing assembly into the trench; g. connecting a first end of the first duct to the first manifold; h. connecting a second end of the second duct to the second manifold; i. filling the trench with a second plurality of lava rocks forming a second 3 inch layer on top of the elongated corrugated pipe; j. installing the 2 inch rigid rodent-resistant insulation into the trench such that it completely covers the elongated corrugated pipe; k. connecting a second end of the first duct to the structure; l. connecting a second end of the second duct to the structure; m. configuring the duct fan such that it blows air out of the second duct creating a partial vacuum which pulls air through the system as follows: i. from the structure to the first duct; ii. from the first duct into the first tapered manifold; iii. from the first tapered manifold into the elongated corrugated pipe; iv. from the elongated corrugated pipe into the second tapered manifold; v. from the second tapered manifold into the second duct; vi. from the second duct back into the structure, thereby cooling the structure due to a naturally cooler temperature of the elongated pipe located in the trench; n. configuring the solar panel to power the duct fan and the thermostat; o. configuring the thermostat to regulate the operation of the duct fan; p. backfilling the trench with dirt. 